Singer Lee Seung-hwan performed on stage at a candlelight cultural festival on the 27th, urging the Constitutional Court to designate a date for the impeachment ruling of President Yoon Suk-yeol and calling for his removal.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Immediate Resignation of Yoon Suk-yeol and Social Reform Emergency Action (Emergency Action) held a general strike rally consecutively from 4 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Dongsihozag, while the candlelight action gathered at the nearby Open Songhyeon Green Park from 7 p.m.
At the end of the rally, Lee Seung-hwan went on stage and noted, "I reached out to the organizers out of frustration," adding, "I hope our songs, shouts, and wishes reach the Constitutional Court today. I wanted to offer comfort to anxious and uneasy democratic citizens, and I stood on stage once more despite my old age."
He introduced himself as "a person who has lived enough to say 'the 4-year-old younger sibling living in Gumi' who has been attacked in every way, advocating for the people." The '4-year-old younger sibling living in Gumi' refers to Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho, who canceled his concert that was scheduled for last year in Gumi due to safety concerns and refusal to sign a political agitation prohibition pledge.
Lee Seung-hwan was scheduled to perform at the Gumi Municipal Arts Center on December 25 last year. However, Gumi City previously demanded that Lee's side sign a pledge stating, "We will not engage in political agitation or misunderstanding," as he had participated in a pro-impeachment rally.
Lee Seung-hwan rejected this, and Gumi City canceled the venue reservation on the 23rd of the same month, citing safety reasons. He stated that his freedom of conscience, freedom of art, and freedom of expression had been violated and filed a constitutional petition with the Constitutional Court on the 6th. Last month, he also filed a lawsuit against Mayor Kim Jang-ho and Gumi City for 250 million won in damages.
Lee Seung-hwan said, "An absurd decision has been made," adding, "I posted on social media urging the Constitutional Court for a swift ruling, and a decision was made two days later. The timing is very peculiar."
In response, Mayor Kim stated on social media that "Lee Seung-hwan's claims were nonsense as they did not meet the basic requirements for a constitutional petition," asserting that Gumi City's judgment was proven to be just according to law and principles.
Meanwhile, Lee Seung-hwan said at the rally, "After I participated in the Yeouido rally on my birthday last year, many strange things have been happening around me. Through those events, I have become 'enlightened.'" He was criticizing the statement made by Kim Gye-ri, one of the legal representatives of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Attorney Kim said during the 11th impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court on the 25th of last month, "(After the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3 of last year), I became enlightened."
At the rally, Lee Seung-hwan sang songs such as 'As much love as is sown in the world,' 'I ask,' 'You being you,' and 'Superhero.' Rally attendees waved glow sticks and sang along to cheer for Lee Seung-hwan.